Lamar Valley: What You Need to Know + Tips & FAQs
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Planning on visiting Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park?
A huge reason why visitors choose to head to Yellowstone? To see some of its amazing wildlife! When my dad used to take me through the park as a kid, I’d roll my eyes every time he pointed out bison or elk as we passed through Lamar–I didn’t find it that interesting.
Now, I relish every chance I get to see some baby bison at play or to see a herd of elk wandering through “America’s Serengeti.” Whether you are big into wildlife spotting or not, it’s hard not to be impressed by the sheer number of animals that you can see in this area of Yellowstone.
However, knowing where you are most likely to see some of the park’s most famous residents can be a challenge, and there are some rules that come with driving and stopping when you want to get a good picture of the wildlife there.
After reading this guide, you’ll have a clear idea of why Lamar Valley is so special, as well as the information you need to make it more likely that you’ll spot your favorite animals along the way!
In summary: This guide covers some basic information on Lamar Valley, as well as tips for wildlife spotting and common FAQs about the area.
Quick tip: Consider visiting in the fall to see animals getting ready for winter and elk putting on a show during their annual rut!
What you need to know about Lamar Valley
Lamar Valley is a large stretch of land from Tower Junction in the west to the East Entrance of the park. It is known to be one of the best places for wildlife sightings in North America, and photographers flock to this area in order to get pictures of a number of animal species.
What Lamar Valley is most famous for is its population of wolves. These animals are typically very shy and do not like to show themselves to people, so the fact that they are spotted relatively often in Lamar Valley makes it a popular spot for wildlife spotters and those who want to grab a photo.
Quick tip: Make sure to bring a pair of binoculars since animals like wolves and bears are usually far away–it can be hard to see them otherwise!
If you are a photographer, this also means that you are going to want to bring along your telephoto lens. Getting out of your car and getting up close and personal to the animals is a no-no, and you’re going to get much better pictures with one, anyway.
There are plenty of turnouts in this area, and most drivers are going to be going slow through here, so feel free to take your time. In fact, if you really want to see some of the more elusive species in Lamar Valley, I’d consider finding a good spot, parking your car, and waiting.
Crows and other birds of prey can also be a good indication that you might see some predators like wolves and grizzlies. Since they tend to flock to where dead animals are located, this is an indication that some of those animals might be headed that way too.
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Lamar Valley Scenic Drive stops
Since you are driving through a valley, there are some stops along the way that you might want to check out. You’ll naturally hit these places on your drive through Lamar, but if you want a chance to stretch your legs and rest, these are ideal!
The scenic drive starts at Tower Junction in the west and ends at the East Entrance of the park. Here are the spots to look out for:
- 5.4 miles after Tower Junction: crossing the Lamar River.
- 5.9 miles after Tower Junction: Slough Creek Campground (a great place to stay if you want to base yourself in the Lamar Valley region and a popular wolf-spotting area).
- 10.6 miles after Tower Junction: the Lamar Buffalo Ranch.
- 14.2 miles after Tower Junction: Lamar Valley Lookout (this gives you a chance to see much of the valley–and there are toilets here).
- 14.3 miles after Tower Junction: Lamar Valley trailhead.
Hiking trails in Lamar Valley
Lamar Valley isn’t just known for wildlife–it’s also a great spot to hit the trail. If you are a backpacker, this is the ideal spot to get permits since you get some great views of along with the chance to see some of the park’s wildlife.
For a day hike, I’d recommend the Lamar Valley trail. While it’s not short at 7.1 miles, you only gain about 600 feet of elevation and it takes you right through the heart of the valley. Personally, it’s one I would choose for beginning hikers, and you’re almost guaranteed to see some bison along the way. This can also be done as a backpacking trail at 32 miles.
For backpackers, the Specimen Ridge trail is one of the best in the entire park, and you get some pretty epic views. At 16.9 miles, it can be completed as a really long day hike, but it’s definitely better as a backpacking trip if you have the time. It’s not easy–expect over 3,300 feet of elevation and to run into a bear or two along the way. Bear spray is a must!
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Tips for visiting Lamar Valley
Here are some tips I like to give if you want to spot some animals during your time in Lamar Valley.
- Know the rules of driving: If you see something on the side of the road, do not stop. Sudden stops can cause car accidents in the park and can completely ruin your trip. Look for a nearby turnout if you can and stop there.
- But do stop if there are animals on the road: This seems fairly obvious, but slow down and stop if there are animals on the road. Do not honk or try to force them off the road, and please do not get out of the car. Likewise, do not touch the animals or get too close. They are wild animals and not pets.
- Be patient: The people who are usually rewarded with sightings of bears and wolves are those who are willing to sit and wait. Hardcore photographers bring chairs and will sit for hours waiting for them to appear.
- Consider coming back: If you have multiple days in the park, it might be worth making another trip in order to see if you can spot some more animals on your next go-around.
Lamar Valley FAQs
Here are some frequently-asked questions I get from clients looking to enjoy Lamar Valley on their Yellowstone itinerary.
Lamar Valley is located in the northern part of Yellowstone, east of Mammoth Hot Springs. I’ve included a map below so you can get an idea of where it is located. It’s a huge part of the park!
One of the great things about Lamar Valley is that you can visit all year. Other parts of the park close down for winter, but Lamar is one area that you can visit at all times. In my opinion? Spring and fall are ideal. Not only are you not dealing with the crowds, but animals are active during this time with babies in the spring and getting ready for winter in the fall.
Lamar Valley is home to almost all of the species of wildlife you will find in Yellowstone! Of course, these are wild animals and you certainly aren’t guaranteed to see all of them, there are some common species that like to hang out in this area. These include:
- Bison
- Elk
- Pronghorn antelope
- Coyotes
- Bald eagles
- Bighorn sheep
- Mule deer
- Trumpeter swans
There are also some animals that you are less-likely to see, but they are often spotted in Lamar. These are:
- Wolves
- Grizzly bears
- Black bears
- Wolverines (almost never)
Remember, part of the fun of visiting Lamar is that you never know what you will see when you are there!
Yes. You will need to pay the Yellowstone National Park fee in order to visit. The cost is $35 for a standard pass that lasts seven days. If you plan on entering the park several times throughout the year, it might be worth it to purchase their annual pass for $70.
If you are planning on visiting more than three different national parks within a year, then you might want to consider an interagency annual pass for $80.
It’s about 35 minutes to get to Tower Junction from the North Entrance of the park, which is the start of the Lamar Valley area with no traffic or wildlife congestion.
Tower Junction, or the start of Lamar Valley, is about 30 minutes away from Mammoth Hot Springs if you don’t run into any traffic or congestion!
From West Yellowstone, it’s about an hour and a half to Tower Junction where Lamar Valley starts. Though expect that you will be dealing with some traffic since you’re driving through some of the most popular areas of the park!
If you want to make Lamar Valley the focus of your trip, then I recommend staying in Gardiner, Montana. It’s the closest entrance to Lamar Valley and will get you there faster.
It’s completely up to you whether or not you want to take a tour. I like to do these types of activities myself, but a tour can be a great way to learn more about the region and can help you to spot out some more animals. I recommend this tour if you do plan on going along with an expert.
Conclusion
Whether you are a first-time visitor to Yellowstone or you are there regularly, Lamar Valley never loses its magic. Seeing so many different species of animals in one place is truly a highlight of the park, and I never get tired of going back there and grabbing some more photos of the bison or antelope I happen to see. I definitely recommend you take the time out to add it to your itinerary if you can!
Have any questions about visiting Lamar Valley? Let me know in the comments!
National Park essentials
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